Terms of Reference (ToR) for Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment, and Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment, and Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study

1. Background and Context

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) is implementing the initiative “Resilience Together: Towards the Climate Justice for Persons with Disabilities in Nepal.” This project aims to strengthen the leadership of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and mobilize them for inclusive climate justice advocacy and campaign initiatives.

One of the core objectives of the project, Objective 2: Promote participation, advocacy, and cross-sectoral collaboration for disability-inclusive climate justice, focuses on enabling meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the climate justice discourse in Nepal.

Nepal ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, facing frequent floods, landslides, droughts, and shifting weather patterns that threaten livelihoods, health, and overall resilience. These impacts are not evenly distributed: persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected due to pre-existing barriers in mobility, communication, access to resources, and limited representation in decision-making processes. Marginalization, poverty, and social stigma further compound their vulnerabilities, increasing exclusion from preparedness, adaptation, and recovery programs. Despite these realities, national climate policies and strategies have yet to systematically address disability inclusion, resulting in critical gaps in ensuring resilience and justice for all.

Despite Nepal’s growing recognition of climate change as a critical development challenge, the voices and rights of persons with disabilities remain largely absent from climate justice discourses, policies, and programs. Existing frameworks on climate adaptation, resilience, and action often overlook disability inclusion, leaving OPDs and disability rights advocates with limited entry points to influence decisions. At the same time, a wide and complex landscape of actors—from government institutions to CSOs, OPDs, academia, and international partners—are working in silos without systematic mapping or coordination. This gap restricts opportunities for collaboration, weakens advocacy, and risks further marginalization of persons with disabilities in climate action.

In order to strengthen disability inclusive climate justice initiatives in Nepal, BYAN will conduct an early stakeholder mapping and an assessment of Nepal’s climate justice landscape. These studies will:

• Identify key stakeholders working on climate justice and their relevance to disability inclusion.
• Assess national frameworks and policies on climate action, adaptation, and resilience for gaps in disability inclusion.
• Pinpoint opportunities to enhance participation and initiate/forge partnerships.
• Support the crafting of impactful, evidence-based advocacy messages.

The two reports—Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment and Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study—will provide critical evidence and direction for building a more inclusive climate justice movement in Nepal. They will serve as foundational resources for OPD leaders, civil society, policymakers, and advocacy coalitions working towards equitable climate action.

2. Objectives

• To identify and assess stakeholders engaged in climate change, justice, and inclusion in Nepal.
• To analyze the climate justice landscape in Nepal, including policies, advocacy initiatives, and discourses.
• To generate actionable recommendations that guide OPDs and civil society towards inclusive advocacy and movement-building.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will deliver two separate reports under this single assignment:

A. Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment

• Conduct desk review of existing policies, programs, and documents.
• Develop a framework for stakeholder mapping (influence, interest, inclusion lens).
• Identify and categorize stakeholders (government, CSOs, OPDs, academia, private sector, media, international partners, etc.).
• Gather data through KIIs, FGDs, or consultations as necessary.
• Prepare a stakeholder matrix with roles, strengths, gaps, and opportunities.
• Provide recommendations for building alliances and collaborative advocacy.

B. Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study

• Review literature on climate justice at global and national levels.
• Analyze Nepal’s climate justice discourses (equity, rights, disability inclusion, gender, indigenous perspectives, etc.).
• Examine existing policies, institutions, advocacy coalitions, and networks.
• Identify gaps and opportunities for inclusive participation and leadership.
• Document case examples of practices and challenges.
• Provide recommendations for strengthening inclusive climate justice advocacy and movement-building.

4. Deliverables

• Inception Report with methodology, tools, and work plan.
• Draft Report 1: Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment.
• Final Report 1: Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment (English).
• Draft Report 2: Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study.
• Final Report 2: Nepal Climate Justice Landscape Study (English).
• Summary briefs/policy notes for each report (2–3 pages).
• Presentation of findings to BYAN and stakeholders in Kathmandu.

5. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy will be carried out over a period of 20 working days based in Kathmandu. A detailed timeline with milestones will be finalized during the inception phase.

6. Consultant Qualifications

• Master degree in Environmental Studies, Climate Change, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in research, stakeholder mapping, and policy/advocacy analysis.
• Strong knowledge of climate change, justice, Nepal’s climate justice movement, and disability inclusion issues in Nepal.
• Demonstrated experience with rights-based and participatory approaches as well as working for climate justice movement in Nepal.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills including developing communication materials, policy briefs, etc. 

7. Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to BYAN’s Project Manager/Coordinator. Draft reports will be reviewed and validated by BYAN before finalization.

8. Budget and Payment Schedule

The consultancy fee will be negotiated based on expertise and methodology. Payment will be made in three installments upon satisfactory completion of deliverables:

• 20% upon submission and approval of inception report.
• 40% upon submission of both draft reports.
• 40% upon submission and approval of final reports and policy briefs.

9. Submission Process

Interested consultants are requested to submit their application including a cover letter, updated CV, technical proposal, financial proposal, relevant work experience by 30th September 2025. Applications should be sent via email with the clear subject line to procurement@byanepal.org.